Essay name: Diksha (initiation) in Pancharatra
Author:
Shanta Srinivasan
Affiliation: University of Madras / Department of Sanskrit
This English essay studies Diksha in Pancharatra with reference to important texts. Diksha refers to initiation ceremonies into a particular esoteric tradition which is given, for example, by the teacher (Guru) to the student (Shishya). Pancharatra refers to an ancient school of Vaishnavism based on ancient Tantra-like texts called Agamas which were commonly written in Sanskrit verse.
Conclusion
15 (of 32)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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T kalpasūtra texts. There is no dīkṣ� as a preparatory rite for doing worship. The vaikhanasas hold that they are qualified by birth to perform pūjā. Upanayana is the only qualification required for them. Milk kept in a cup with the emblem of conch and discus dropped in it, is given to the pregnant woman which qualifies the child that is to be born. He becomes a garbha Vaiṣṇava, that is, vaisnava in the womb of the mother itself. Further the vaikhānasas are required to do only the act of worship to Viṣnu in the temples and houses. They do not have to do a nyāsa or draw manṇḍlas. (these are in force now a days) mudrā and bhūta śuddhi. The vaikhānasa priests are to be brahmins and are only male members. They recite only vedic mantras. Thus the Pāncarātra āgama has the influence on the vaikhānasa system. Cakrābja maṇḍala vyūha, ūrdhvapuṇḍra and pañcasamskāra (tapc.) are stated by Madhvācārya (1199-272) in some of his works. 175
